I hope you have opinions, citizens of Issaquah, because they could really come in handy.

The next few months seem yet again chock full of important decisions that the City Council will make. I have heard and reported repeatedly that they want public input on all matters that will impact the future of Issaquah. So, this is another message to encourage you to take them up on that.

Let’s think about what’s to come over the next several months. And, keep in mind, this is your government and you should you tell it what you think.

Peter ClarkPress reporter

While the City Council extended the marijuana moratorium, it expects the ban to lift in July. As the council continues to look at how a recreational marijuana business should operate in Issaquah, let it know how you feel.

Two public input meetings left the Park Board with a recommendation to build a new skate park in the Tibbetts Valley Park, across from the park & ride. How does that strike you?

That questions lies at the heart of a burgeoning effort by the city’s Economic Development Department and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. The “kickoff” for the effort was delivered March 31 by local tourism guru Roger Brooks.

“For more than 30 years, he has worked to change ordinary places to extraordinary destinations,” chamber CEO Matt Bott said, introducing the keynote speaker.

The Issaquah City Council will consider adding annexation of Lake Sammamish State Park to its comprehensive plan.

In the March 11 Land and Shore Committee meeting, council members discussed the docket of items for the annual update to Issaquah’s comprehensive plan. The addition to the docket came in response to a March 4 letter from Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Director Don Hoch asking the city to consider annexing the park.

“We’ve been working with State Parks on a request for proposals,” City Long Range Planning Manager Trish Heinonen said about the cooperation aimed at economically developing the park. “I think it allows us to partner with them more seamlessly. They felt like it would help us with our rules and regulations.”

As Grand Ridge Plaza construction begins to open new stores, many jobs have become available. Stores are advertising for positions, leading to a prospective growth of jobs in Issaquah.

Though it could not give exact numbers, the city’s Economic Development Department said that an estimated 300 to 400 new jobs were expected to be created from Grand Ridge Plaza. It did not have information on how many would be part-time or full-time employees.

Three project proposals for Lake Sammamish State Park, including one to totally remake the park with a hotel/convention center, came to the city’s Economic Development Department by the deadline Sept. 9.

In a joint effort with Washington State Parks, the city released a request for proposals in August, asking for project ideas to reinvigorate and make use of the park under the redevelopment and restoration plan adopted in 2007.

Economic Development Director Keith Niven said the three full project outlines are markedly different, but he found positive aspects across the board.

By Issaquah Soccer ClubSix multi-use sports fields with new lighting and accessibility are in a proposal submitted by the Issaquah Soccer Club, in response to the request for ideas made jointly by city’s Economic Development Department and Washington State Parks.

“I see all of these to be viable choices for the park,” he said. “I think they can all fit. I don’t think there is anything on the table that can’t be mitigated.”